Caring Matters - Sacramento County IHSS Public Authority

Advocate forJean DensonSupport Groupsby Mary-Ann CowanMattersThere is no cost to attend the supportgroup. Some members attend intermittently,while others come on a more regular basis.Registration is not required.The South Area Support Group meetson the first and third Friday of everymonth from 1:00 p.m-2:30 p.m. Thelocation is the Martin Luther King Jr.Library, 7340 24th Street Bypass,Sacramento, CA, 95822.It was a beautiful Friday morning when we metwith Jean Denson, a dedicated caregiver who isnot afraid to ask for help. She was a memberof the Caregiver Support Group. We wantedto gain Jean’s perspective on what value shegained from attending support group meetings.Jean is a wonderful, caring, intelligent personwho has devoted most of her life caring for hermother for whom Jean has a deep love, respectand admiration. Jean learned of the CaregiverSupport Group and decided to join. Sheremained active in it for the next five years.Jean said, “I developed a sense of family withmembers from the support group. I gaineda lot of clarity on issues.” Jean enjoyed theinteraction and group dynamics; it helped herdeal with stress and increased her coping skills.Jean remarked, “Everyone who is caring for achild or adult with a disability would benefit froma support group.”HOW TO AVOIDCAREGIVER BURNOUTby Marshay HunterVicarious trauma can be a naturalreaction when you are around peoplewho are in crisis or who have lots ofproblems and concerns. Caregiversmay develop vicarious trauma whenthey care for someone who has substantialhealth concerns or who has justexperienced some type of crisis.Effective strategies for maintaining thewell being of service providers:•Physical - Eat Healthy, Adequate Rest,Dancing, Walking, Jogging•Psychological - Reading, Self-Reflection,Journaling, Smiling, Trying NewActivities•Emotional - Cry, Laugh, Visit Friends,Visit Family, Praise Yourself•Workplace - Set Boundaries, TakeBreaks, Vacation, Create Quiet Time, PeerSupport